Hi Moms,
I need to buy an extra set of eye glasses; I keep leaving my one pair at home and then I'm dying at my computer the next day. I have insurance, but can only purhcase frames every two years and I'm not due for another pair until next year.
So ... where is the cheapest place to buy quality frames? Lens Crafters, Costco, or??
Thanks!
So do I get the lens prescription from my doctor and then take it to Costco? Sorry to be so obtuse on the subject; I've never had glasses before.
Zennioptical.com. Awesome frames and glasses for next to nothing. I got my son two pair of very cute glasses for $28.
For Eyes on Beverly Blvd, near the Beverly Ctr if you are in LA. I think they sre the only store left here but is a national chain
Costco, always for everyone in our family. They carry good quality glasses and they are much better prices then going to the places suggested by and trying to use my glasses insurance.
Walmart Walmart Walmart! Cheaper than Costco! Bought my daughters there. They have a variety of glasses and prices. I could t believe how cheap they were. Just take ur prescription in. Good luck!
I have gotten mine from Costco and Sears.
Both were good.
Sears has a pretty good return policy etc.
Costco too.
Per prescription, mine are all prescription glasses, and you take it to Costco and they know what to do.
And you also give them your insurance info. and they process the paperwork etc.
They have good prices.
My glasses from Costco, which I am wearing now, is good.
I will go back there for glasses, when I need to.
I used to buy frames from any place that sold glasses (think pharmacies or walmart or target). Then I would have my prescription dropped into the frames at LensCrafters. The prescription was always on the pricey side but since the frames were never over $20.00. It worked out well. I currently have reading glasses from a discount close out store which only cost me $2.00. I could put a prescription in them if I wanted to but they do work for me being able to see that small print.
Try Doctor's visionworks. You can get 2 pair for under 100. But only certain frames are eligible. I got a pair of prescription sunglasses as one of my pair. Eye exam can be done there, but it costs extra or you can get your own eye doctor to write prescription.
If you have a copy of your prescription, go to LensWay.com. They are awesome. For @ $70, you can get a new pair of super cute glasses. It's important to look at your current glasses to see the shape and size you like and order similar.
I get great glasses at
The prescription reading glasses I'm wearing right now I got for $7.95
You can get your prescription, but the eye dr might refuse to give you the pupil distance number(s).
The numbers are not considered part of the prescription but are needed to order online.
It's not too difficult to measure it yourself.
I had to leave an eye dr because she threw a fit because I would not buy $500 worth of glasses from her when I could get great glasses elsewhere for under $20.
Now sure, there might be times you NEED to spend that kind of money (I do for my son), and I'm sure they are loving the profit they are making on it - but for some prescription reading/computer glasses I don't need an uber fancy/expensive layout.
For under $20 apiece, I can have a pair of glasses for every room of my house and still not spend $500 and I don't need insurance for it when I can pay for it with pocket change.
Zennioptical.com!!!! I just got a pair from them that turned out really nice and I ended up paying around 15 dollars with S/H and anitreflectant coating.
ADDED - your need your prescription from your doctor and your PD (pupiliary distance).
You need a prescription that is less than a year old. I think most places won't use a prescription that's older than a year. And then yes, you take it to Costco. I've done that a few times and had good experiences.
Costco!!! I think Lenscrafters is expensive and the quality isn't very good.
In answer to your updates question. Yes, get the prescription from your Dr., and bring it to Costco. They have Dr's there as well but if you already have the prescription, why pay again! You drop off the prescription and they call you within a week or so to tell you the glasses are in. My husband wears glasses for reading and driving and he's h*** o* them. Costco has a great policy if they get broken or if something gets loose on them.
I have always had luck at Pearl.
I've read good things about www.zennioptical.com. I helped my mom order a pair of bifocals from their website, and she said she can see just as well out of the $75 Zenni glasses as she can from the $400 pair she purchased at Sam's Club.
I ordered myself a backup pair of glasses and a new pair of sunglasses, but they just shipped and I haven't received them yet to give you feedback. It was $104 for both pairs (sunglasses are prescription too).
Their website can be a little wonky, particularly during high traffic times, but I like that you can upload a photo of yourself and virtually "try on" the glasses. They will also tell you if the frames you pick won't fit your face, which the problem I had with the prescription sunglasses I got from Target. You need to get your pupillary distance from your doctor; it's usually not written on your prescription.
Good luck!
I have purchased glasses through Zenni Optical, as well as Goggles 4 U, with great results. Coastal Contacts is another good one. Same frames as the brick & mortar stores for a fraction of the price.
A friend of mine only buys her glasses from Zenni. You put in your info and they don't check with your doc, so even if your rx is older, it wont matter. Her glasses were always so cute and she loves them!!
